Madison Labor Group Prepares For General Strike

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http://www.channel3000.com/news/26953493/detail.html
Group Says It Needs To Educate Public First

Posted: 11:57 am CST February 22, 2011Updated: 12:08 pm CST February 22, 2011
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MADISON, Wis. -- If Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans pass a budget repair bill that restricts union rights, labor groups in Madison said they would endorse the entire of a general strike of unions around the state.

The South Central Federation of Labor endorsed the idea of a strike at its meeting Monday night, but they didn't "call" for a strike, since members said they don't have the power to do so.

However, members of the group said they now start needing to educate the public about the possibility, to explain why they feel this may be needed.

"We've set up a committee to set up the education process. We'll be working with other labor bodies, and church groups," said Carl Aniel, AFSCME Labor Federation delegate. "This action is designed to put control back in the hands of people doing all this work."

Aniel said the labor federation would only support a general strike if unions around the entire state were willing to participate. "There's no point of calling for a general strike unless we're prepared to make it succeed," Aniel said.

However, Aniel said the group would make sure all emergency services would continue throughout the state.

"What we have to do is to make sure all essential services to people are provided," said Aniel. "Then we'll determine what other entities deserve those services."

The group also went on record Monday night as opposing all of the provisions contained in Walker’s budget repair bill, including funding for public education and changes to medical assistance programs.